Proponents of majority electoral systems claim that these systems have all of the advantages of a plurality system, i.e., simplicity, stability, and constituency representation. A majority system is relatively easy for the voter to understand. It tends to produce strong and stable governments, and each territorial constituency is represented by a single legislator. An additional benefit of a majority system is that each representative has the support of a majority of his or her constituents.
Under a plurality system, a candidate may be elected with less than a majority of the vote. In fact, the percentage of the vote necessary to win can be quite low, depending on the number of candidates competing for office and the spread of votes among candidates on the ballot. To prevent a candidate from winning a seat with less than 50 percent of the vote, allocation rules under a majority electoral system stipulate that the winning candidate must receive an 'absolute majority' of the vote, i.e., 50 percent of the vote plus one more vote. Simply requiring a majority of the vote, with no further stipulations, creates the possibility of an election with more than two candidates producing no winner at all. Countries with majority electoral systems have adopted one of two solutions for this problem--a second round election or the alternative vote.
Two Round System
The central feature of the two round system is a requirement for a second election if the first election does not produce a candidate with an absolute majority of the vote. Under a two round system, voting occurs on two separate days, often a week or so apart. The first election is conducted in the same manner as a plurality 'first past the post' election. However, if this election does not produce a candidate with more than 50 percent of the vote, a second election is held. The rules on who can participate in the second contest vary depending on the country and whether the election is a legislative or presidential election.
Under a 'majority runoff' system, for example, if no candidate receives a majority on the first ballot, a second election is held. The only candidates in the second election are the two candidates who received the highest number of votes in the first election. This system is often used in presidential elections. It is also used in the United States for congressional elections in some southern states.
Under a 'majority plurality' system, on the other hand, there is no drastic reduction in the number of candidates on the second ballot. The winner of second ballot in a majority plurality system is the candidate who receives the most votes, whether or not a majority of the votes is obtained. Some threshold may be imposed for candidates to stand at the second ballot.
The two, or second, round system is most commonly associated with France, where the majority plurality system is used for the election of representatives to the National Assembly. Electoral rules for the National Assembly stipulate that only candidates receiving the support of at least 12.5 percent of the registered electorate are entitled to compete in the second ballot the following week. The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in this second election is declared the winner. For more information on the two round system, see Two-Round System.
Alternative Vote
The alternative vote is more accurately referred to as a 'majority preferential' system. Under this system, voters not only indicate their first preference among the candidates, but also rank in order alternative preferences. To win, a candidate must receive a majority of the vote. To determine the winner, the number of first preference votes is tallied. If a candidate wins a majority of first preference votes, he or she is declared the winner. If no candidate receives a majority of first preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first preference votes is eliminated. The second preferences of voters who made this candidate their first choice are then distributed among the other candidates. If this redistribution does not produce a majority for one of the remaining candidates, the process of elimination and transfers continues until a majority is produced for one of the candidates. The alternative vote is used in Australia for elections to the House of Representatives. For more information on the alternative vote, see Alternative Vote.
Conclusion
Majority electoral systems can, and do, produce election outcomes that are just as disproportional as plurality electoral systems with regard to the ratio of seats to votes. This is not surprising, given that both systems rely almost exclusively on single-member districts. The district delimitation process in a majority system is, therefore, just as important as it is in a plurality electoral system.
